WINONA, Minn. – A Winona State graduate and arts patron, Maynard Weber, left $5.2 million in his will for the university’s Laird Norton Center for Art & Design and for scholarships. The donation was largest financial gift in Winona State history. At the Laird Norton Center, the funds will be used for state-of-the-art gallery space, the university said. Weber was the son of widely exhibited mid-20ht century Cubist painter Max Weber. The son, known as Mo, came to Winona after World War II military service He completed a degree in education at Winona State and helped coach baseball. His career was teaching and coaching. He died in Virginia n 2019 at age 96. Major parts of the bequeath:
> $2 million. Furthering the endowment of existing Weber scholarships.
> $1.5 million. Gallery space that will include some of his father’s works.
> $1.3 million. Baseball scholarships.
Weber. Over the years he donated several of his father’s paintings to Winona State. These included the 1951 work “Mexican Water Jug” and the 1932 piece “Football Players.”
Exquisite design. The Laird Norton building, at 125 West Fifth Street, is the elegant 30,000-square foot former corporate headquarters of pioneer lumber barons. Built in1918. Placed on the National Register of Historic Places n 2014. In 2016 the building was gifted to Winona State.